Thousands of French police officers marched through central Paris on Tuesday, venting long-simmering frustration over pay, staffing shortages and inadequate equipment. The demonstration, called by the Alliance Police Nationale union, began at the Champs-Élysées and ended at the National Assembly, where officers gathered to make their grievances heard.
After the march, union representatives were received at the Interior Ministry. They later told reporters that the meeting had been constructive, with authorities showing signs of taking their concerns seriously.
Stagnant risk bonus and rising demands
A central grievance is the special police duty allowance (ISSP), commonly known as the "risk bonus," which has not been increased since 2019. Officers argue that the stagnant payment fails to reflect the dangers and demands of modern policing, especially in a period of heightened security alerts across France.
Beyond pay, the Alliance union is pressing for more resources for administrative, technical and scientific staff, as well as clearer career progression pathways and higher staffing levels. The union estimates that meeting these needs would require an additional €300 million to €500 million per year.
Speaking ahead of the protest, an officer based in Rennes described the situation as "alarming." He condemned staff shortages, equipment problems and the lack of decent pay. "We need equipment, we need manpower, we need recognition in our pay," he said, arguing that working conditions "are getting worse and worse."
The protest comes after a series of meetings between police unions and the government. On 4 September, representatives from Alliance, Unité and UNSA Police were received by Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. After that meeting, the unions complained that there had been no meaningful progress on their budget demands.
Tuesday's meeting, however, appeared to mark a turning point. Fabien Vanhemelryck, secretary-general of the Alliance union, said after the talks that authorities had been open-minded and acknowledged the gravity of the situation for officers. "The only thing we can be satisfied with is that there is an open-mindedness and an awareness of the situation," he said.
Vanhemelryck told reporters that Nuñez had asked for "a few days" to work on a "plan" to address the unions' demands. The minister's response suggests the government is keen to avoid a prolonged standoff with law enforcement, which has been under strain in recent years.
The protest is part of a broader campaign launched by Alliance at the start of the summer, dubbed "zero initiative." The union set 15 September as the next step in its mobilisation, hinting at a possible large-scale "social rentrée" for police officers if their demands are not met.
French police have faced increasing pressure, from counter-terrorism duties to managing protests and tackling urban violence. The recent controversy over a police officer in Carcassonne has also put the spotlight on the conduct and working conditions of officers.
As the government prepares its response, the unions have made clear that they expect concrete action, not just words. With the budget negotiations for 2027 looming, the pressure is on Nuñez to deliver a plan that satisfies a workforce that feels increasingly undervalued.
